Thanksgiving: America’s History

Last year my good friend Dr, Karen Kenney (Founder and Director of the San Fernando Valley Tea Party Patriots, which I’m proud to be a member) by special invitation organized again at a private lovely residence in Encino and hosted by my friend Shannon Edwards (homeowner, with a big theater screen) a superb evening “Patriot Film Night,” Kirk Cameron’s “Monumental , In Search of America’s beginnings and National Treasures” a 1:30 hr documentary-style film, with discussion, snacks, refreshments and friendly smart people. So if this message is redundant to some, still worth repeating again!

What made it so great was the candor and easy explanation of events that took place in building our country.
It’s about Kirk Cameron traveling to Europe and the U.S.A. to learn and discover the true America’s natural treasure, its people, places and the principles that made our nation the best, most prosperous, given and exceptional, plus the struggles and arrival to Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts by the English Pilgrims in seek of religious freedom and giving thanks for the newfound land. (This is a must see, you can go to Amazon.com to purchase it).

1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation

“Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humble to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by join committee, requested me to “recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”

” Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation……. — George Washington (October 3, 1789)

In October of 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation calling on the people to observe the last Thursday in November “as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelled in the Heavens.”

In 1941 congress voted to established Thanksgiving as a national Holiday.

In his first Thanksgiving proclamation, President Ronald Reagan wrote: “As we celebrate Thanksgiving…we should ask what we can do as individuals to demonstrate our gratitude to God for all he has done. Such reflection can only add to the significance of this precious day of remembrance. Let us recommit ourselves to that devotion to God and family that has played such an important role ion making this a great Nation, and which will be needed as a source of strength if we are to remain a great people.”

This THANKSGIVING DAY, again based on our Judeo-Christian values, we give thanks and pray to our Creator for all his blessings, faithfulness, all the abundance he has given us, as we gather with our families and friends to praise him and reflect on how blessed we are and will remember at the dinner table those loved ones who have left us and have gone to heaven to be with the Lord, but we’ll also remember our members of the Armed Forces (Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy and Marines) who are far away and in harm’s way, who will not be having dinner with their families, we pray and give thanks to the Lord for their safety. Also our good men and women in law enforcement, and firefighters. We also ask for his blessings for those who are less fortunate than we are, for the homeless, for the unemployed, and for the frail and sick.“Enter His gates with Thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.

Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continue through all generations.” — Psalm 100:4-5

Warmest wishes for a peaceful, fruitful and happy Thanksgiving Day, and God’s blessings to all of you and your families.